Madeline had a smooth recuperation from her hip replacement this summer. She was committed to her physical therapy and quickly graduated from a walker to a cane to walking short distances on her own. While she didn’t spend the summer jumping waves with her grandsons, she watched from above while holding her brand new granddaughter.

On August 19th, Jim and Mad celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. The celebration continued the following week when their entire family joined them on Block Island - one of Madeline’s favorite places and somewhere they both missed during their time in Pittsburgh.

Jim and Mad had a short, scheduled visit to Pittsburgh during the first week of August for routine follow-up appointments. A bronchoscopy showed that there was mycobacterium in Madeline’s lungs. The doctors were waiting for further testing to determine the exact strain of bacteria so they would know how to treat it. In the meantime, Madeline started to feel a bit weak, had lost her appetite, and was experiencing some gastrointestinal issues.

On Monday, September 18th, Madeline went for her weekly blood tests. Two hours later, she received a call from UPMC. The bloodwork indicated that Madeline’s potassium levels were elevated so the team in Pittsburgh asked Madeline to go directly to the local ER. Madeline was admitted that day at South County Hospital and the doctors there were in constant communication with the team at UPMC. It was quickly decided that it was best if Madeline were in Pittsburgh, so in the middle of the night on Tuesday into Wednesday, Jim and Mad were flown via medevac to Pittsburgh.

Once in Pittsburgh, Madeline was diagnosed with three large ulcers which were causing her GI problems. The medical team believed that they were caused by some of Mad’s medications, so those were swapped for other medications. She also began treatment for the bacteria in her lungs. Because the treatment will last for months and is administered intravenously, Madeline received a picc line in her upper arm.

Madeline made good, but slow, progress. She underwent another bronchoscopy last week that showed no rejection in her lungs. Once those results were back, Mad, Jim, and the medical team began planning for Madeline’s discharge on Saturday morning with a flight home to New England early that afternoon. Jim and Mad could not wait to get home to their family!

Madeline awoke on Saturday, October 14th with slight stomach pains and swollen feet. Because of this, UPMC did some X-rays and additional blood tests prior to releasing her just to make sure everything was OK. By the time Mad and Jim landed in Boston, her feet and legs had swollen considerably and she was feeling sick to her stomach. She thought that maybe she hadn't had enough to eat for breakfast with her meds.

Once she returned home, her pain had increased considerably and the swelling hadn't gone down at all. Madeline was brought back to South County Hospital. The team there was once again in contact with her team at UPMC, gave her pain meds and administered the same blood tests and x-rays that had been done in the morning for a comparison. She was admitted later that night.

However, around midnight, Jim received a phone call that her condition had deteriorated and that Mad was being transported to Rhode Island Hospital.. Once there, additional tests indicated that Madeline’s intestine was perforated. The transplant team at UPMC was consulted. While RIH could have done the necessary surgery, they didn't have the support of a pulmonary transplant team, so both hospitals felt it was best if Madeline were at a transplant center in Boston.​At about 7 am Mad & Jim arrived at Brigham & Women's - the 4th hospital in less than 24 hours - that has to be a record! She underwent surgery to repair the perforation enough to stabilize her. The surgery went well, but because of the sedation she was under, Madeline was put on a ventilator and a breathing tube. Her stomach was left open, and on Tuesday the surgical team was able to completely repair her intestine. Once that surgery was completed, Madeline was weaned off the vent and her breathing tube was removed. She is currently being fed through a nasal tube which hopefully will be removed tomorrow.Madeline is being closely monitored by members of the pulmonary, surgical, and infectious disease teams at Brigham & Womens. All of those teams are working closely together and in conjunction with the teams at UPMC.

All along, Madeline has continually said, "I should've started a book a long time ago!" She certainly has a few new chapters of material!

Colleen, Thanks so much for such a detailed update. I believe you will be awarded your Medical Degree when this is over. Glad to hear she is responding to treatment. Will continue to keep your mom,and all of you in our prayers. I had spoke with her a few days before she left Pittsburgh,and she was so looking forward to being back in RI. Hopefully,this is the last “ bump” in the road for her,and you all.

Prayers for you Mad, another bump in the road.....the journey has not been without its twists and turns.....kind of like the Irish roads!!!
We know your strength and how fortunate you are to have such a great husband and family to help you as you recover .......know we are thinking of you and keep you tucked in our prayers
❤️Nancy and Tom

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elizabeth hindle

10/20/2017 07:57:54 am

colleen, please give her a hug for myself and jody. besides her transplant team, she's in the BEST place.

Thank you Colleen for updating us on Mad's progress. Prayers are going your way for a speedy recovery, Mad, and prayers for the family for all the loving support.

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Mary Lou (Holmes) Sullivan

10/20/2017 10:07:15 am

Praying for you all.

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Jane & Andy

10/20/2017 11:33:23 am

Colleen Thank You for the update. We always wonder if no news is good news or bad news. We continue to pray for Madeline and your whole family. I wonder why bad things happen to such wonderful people. Please let us know if there is ever anything that we can do.

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Mary Feeney

10/21/2017 03:37:53 am

Colleen...Thank you...I hear Madelines wonderful tenacity through your so well documented blog..I never stop thinking about her and you the most amazing family...love you all so much Mary

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Anita Langer

10/21/2017 07:01:02 am

Thoughts & Prayers for you all. Madeline is so strong and her spirit gets her through.

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Terry mcgovern

10/21/2017 07:33:42 pm

She is in my prayers

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Jane Giblin

10/21/2017 07:41:33 pm

Colleen, thank you so much for all the information.
The prayers will continue and hope that this will be the last bump in the road!
God bless and protect the entire family!❤️

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Keeping Current

As often as possible, we'll try to update this page to let you know how Madeline is doing and where she is in her fight for new lungs. Visit often!